Northeast Ann Arbor residents have raised concerns about the deer population for some time, but council member Jane Lumm says the issue seems to have really spiked in the last couple of years. City Council Monday night will consider a resolution to have the city partner with a variety of other organizations to develop a deer management plan.
Lumm wants to make sure the plan takes into account the deer, and have the population managed in the most humane way possible.
An aerial survey of the Marshall Nature Area in 2013 found a deer density of 76 per square mile. Studies indicate deer densities of 15 to 20 per square mile are considered optimal for public health, safety, and landscape management.
The resolution asks the city administrator to try creating a partnership with Washtenaw County, the University of Michigan, the Humane Society, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to develop a plan. It also calls for a report by the end of July to include timelines and budget impacts.
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— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.